Del. Todd Morgan

Maddy summaryHB 1256 creates an Angel Investor Tax Credit in Maryland, allowing investors to claim a credit against their state income tax for qualifying investments in Maryland companies. The credit applies to investments in companies operating in specific economic sectors (to be designated by the Department of Commerce), with the Department required to maintain an online portal for applications and evaluate additional qualifying sectors. Investors must make their investment within a set timeframe after receiving a tax credit certificate, and the bill establishes a reserve fund for the credit program that earns interest. The credit directly affects angel investors who fund qualifying Maryland businesses and the state's economic development efforts, with provisions for recapturing credits if requirements aren't met.

Maddy summaryHB 1302 removes a requirement that disabled public safety/judicial officers, their surviving spouses, or cohabitants must have been domiciled in Maryland for 5 years before a disability or death event to qualify for a property tax credit. The bill directly affects disabled officers (e.g., law enforcement, firefighters) who became disabled on duty, surviving spouses who haven’t remarried, and cohabitants who lived with a fallen officer for 180+ days. Key changes eliminate the 5-year residency rule while keeping other eligibility criteria, such as the dwelling being their primary residence and acquired within 10 years of the qualifying event. This makes the credit more accessible to qualifying residents without requiring long-term Maryland residency prior to the qualifying incident.

Maddy summaryHB 964, the Secure the Vote Act of 2026, repeals existing requirements for ballot drop boxes (including those at Baltimore City's centralized booking facility) and modifies election rules. It adds new requirements: voters must provide proof of U.S. citizenship to register (per Section 3-201.1), obtain photo ID for in-person voting (Section 2-111), and restricts absentee voting to those unable to vote in person due to specific circumstances. The bill also mandates signature verification for absentee ballots, establishes new audit procedures for voter registration lists, and prohibits non-citizens from registering to vote in municipal elections. These changes apply to all Maryland voters and election officials statewide.

Maddy summaryHB 970 renames Maryland's "Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard" to the "Clean Energy Portfolio Standard" and changes related terms like "renewable energy credits" to "clean energy credits." The bill explicitly adds electricity generated from certain nuclear power plants as an eligible Tier 2 source for meeting the standard, expanding the types of energy that can count toward compliance. This change directly affects utilities and energy providers required to meet the state's clean energy targets, applying retroactively to prior compliance periods. The bill focuses on updating terminology and eligibility criteria within existing energy policy frameworks.

Maddy summaryHB 990 extends the deadline for solar energy systems to be placed in service from January 1, 2028, to January 1, 2031, to qualify for Maryland's Small Solar Energy Generating System Incentive Program. It also doubles the total in-state generating capacity cap for systems between 20 kilowatts and 5 megawatts - from 270 megawatts to 540 megawatts. This directly affects solar developers and property owners installing systems in this size range, particularly those on rooftops, parking canopies, brownfields, or industrial sites. The changes aim to support broader solar adoption by providing more time for installation and increasing available capacity under the program.

Maddy summaryHB 454, the "SAVE Our Elections Act of 2026," requires Maryland to join the federal SAVE Program (Systematic Alien Verification of Entitlement) to verify U.S. citizenship for voter registration applicants. It directly affects individuals applying to register to vote in Maryland, mandating that the State Board of Elections use the federal SAVE system to confirm citizenship during the registration process. Key provisions include requiring the State Administrator to enroll in SAVE, establishing a verification process for applicants, and creating an appeal mechanism for voters who dispute citizenship determinations. The bill replaces current self-declaration requirements with federal verification, amending election law sections governing voter registration eligibility and processing.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Maryland election laws to require voters presenting their names at the polls to prove their identity before receiving a regular ballot. To do this, voters must show a valid government-issued photo ID or, if they lack one, provide a non-government photo ID along with a document like a utility bill or bank statement that shows their name and address. If a voter cannot provide the required identification, the election judge must refer them to vote using a provisional ballot instead. The legislation also clarifies rules for assistance, allowing voters to bring written materials into the polling place and specifying who may help those with disabilities or language barriers.

Maddy summaryHB 576 authorizes the Maryland State Archives to establish fees for record services through regulations, directly affecting the public, state agencies, and courts that access or request records. Key provisions include allowing the Archives to set fees as a percentage (capped at 2% of existing fees) or flat subscription rates for record preservation, requiring 7% of collected fees to fund an Archives Endowment Account, and setting a $3 fee for public copies of property plats. The bill also clarifies that courts may obtain land record copies for free with judicial approval while maintaining fee structures for other services like vital records and certified copies. These changes update existing fee authority in Maryland law without altering record access requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 885 prohibits knowingly causing another person to ingest a drug that induces abortion when the person knows the other is pregnant and acts without consent, through fraud or coercion, or by force. It directly affects individuals who attempt to compel another person to take such medication under these conditions. The law creates a felony offense punishable by up to 10 years in prison for violations. The bill, titled the "Women’s Freedom From Coercion Act," takes effect October 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 857 modifies Maryland's income tax rules to reduce the tax deduction for military retirement income for retirees under age 55. Currently, those under 55 receive a $12,500 deduction, but this bill would lower it to $20,000 (effectively increasing their taxable income by $7,500 annually). The change applies to military retirement income received during the taxable year, directly affecting Maryland residents who are military retirees under 55. The bill amends Section 10-207(q) of Maryland's tax code and takes effect July 1, 2026.